Roger Ailes has stepped down as the CEO of Fox News, 21st Century Fox announced Thursday.
“21st Century Fox today announced that Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network, and Chairman of Fox Television Stations, has resigned from his role effective immediately,” the statement said. “Rupert Murdoch will assume the role of Chairman and acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.”
Murdoch is the executive chairman of 21st Century Fox. “It is always difficult to create a channel or a publication from the ground up and against seemingly entrenched monopolies,” Murdoch said in the statement. “To lead a flourishing news channel, and to build Fox Business, Roger has defied the odds.”
The shakeup comes two weeks after one of Fox’s top female anchors filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes.
In a resignation letter to Murdoch from Ailes, according to the Drudge Report, Ailes said he no longer wanted to be a “distraction” at Fox.
“I take particular pride in the role that I have played advancing the careers of the many women I have promoted to executive and on-air positions,” the letter said.
It said, however, he would continue working with Fox as a consultant.
